Little Boy: Movie Review

 

Summary:

When auto mechanic James Busbee is sent to fight the Japanese during World War II, he leaves behind his wife and two sons, London and Pepper. Pepper feels his father’s absence most keenly, and can’t wait for him to return home. An encounter with a magician and advice from a priest convince Pepper that the power to bring his dad back safely may be within himself and his actions. (Source: Google)

 

What I thought:

The other week, when I pointed out to mom that I’d only cried at two movies in my life (a short prodigal son film and Air Bud), she said I needed to see some more movies then.

 

Little Boy has accomplished that mission. I cried, not once, but twice during this movie. In the theater. With my brothers there. And that, everyone, is not an everyday accomplishment.

 

So, anyway, on to the story itself.

 

It was very well told and went into the interesting concept of faith and what you believe in. Pepper’s favorite comic, that he was showed by his dad, is of Ben Eagle, the magician.

 

We don’t really do magic, just as a family policy, but Ben Eagle’s presence didn’t bother as much as I thought it would. He is only marveled at by Pepper and puts on a fake-y magic show. I won’t say he’s unimportant to the story though. His show is a turning point in the film, and he is the source of the very important line: “Do you believe you can do this?” So, he alone is not a big enough issue to boot the movie because of magic.

 

There are a few things little kids wouldn’t like in here. There’s a scene in a POW camp, someone gets shot, there’s a nightmare sequence involving Hiroshima and a Japanese man is attacked, but all of those parts are pretty brief.

 

Pepper is adorable and sweet. A very driven character who will do anything to get his dad home. Most of the movie has him following an ancient list to build his faith and therefore bring his dad home (his thought process there is more explored in the movie). His sadness and happiness were the cause of my tears in the theater, so you can rest assured his actor does an amazing job.

 

Overall, I’d give it 4 ½ stars. Really great family movie! 🙂

 

 

Have you seen Little Boy?

Do you want to?

 

Please comment!

~writefury